I Hope It’s Pretty There
Free event | Bookings essential
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Book Launch and Teacher Preview
Join us for the launch of a new children's historical fiction book, I Hope It’s Pretty There, in celebration of Book Week 2021.
Local creative author, Alex Kopp and illustrator, Kevin Vindeg join forces with the Learning & Engagement team to explore how this story of migration, bravery and new beginnings can be used by educators to illuminate the history of early arrival to the Swan River colony at WA Shipwrecks Museum. We invite you to discover how the book can be used in the classroom and how it can be paired with the Year 5 Shipwrecks Museum facilitated program Strangers on the Shore.
Highlights of the event include:
- After-hours tour of WA Shipwrecks Museum
- Light refreshments
- Meet & greet with author, Alex Kopp and illustrator, Kevin Vindeg
- Discuss the pair's inspiration and research behind the new book, plus learn about how the story explores impressions of the early Swan River colony through the experience of young people
- Explore the extensive downloadable Learning Resource to address the HASS curriculum, in particular, our Year 5 resources
- Experience some immersive activities in the Strangers on the Shore facilitated program for Year 5s in the Shipwrecks Museum Education Room
About the book
I Hope It’s Pretty There by Alex Kopp and Kevin Vindeg
In February 1829, a ship called Parmelia left England headed for the west coast of Australia. It was packed with men, women and children set on building a new life for themselves by the mouth of the Swan River.
Among them were young Joseph Daly, his mum, dad and four siblings. Filled with hope, uncertainty — and cases full of pots, pans and other household goods — the passengers were to become the first settlers to the new colony. But the promise of a new idyllic life is shattered when tragedy strikes during the voyage.
Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, I Hope It’s Pretty There recounts the drama of the historic journey through Joseph’s eyes and serves as a bittersweet tale of hope, courage, loss and resilience.
